How To Choose A Long Winter Coat

This vintage long winter coat was thrifted on my recent trip to BC. It is by Peter Weber from Toronto, 55% wool, 45% rayon and cost $15. It is not quite warm enough for the weather we are having right now.

We are in a deep freeze at -25 C with the windchill, which needless to say, is why these photos are indoors.

That slit goes all the way up making the coat move even more.

It makes me feel almost as badass as this guy…

I know…the resemblance is uncanny.

I’m like the Mary Poppins of Morpheus.

How do you like the fake black leather pants?

Very rock star no?

These are the S&M inspired booties I’m wearing that I thrifted along with the coat…

That gold lining is killer.

And you know how I love a good beret to finish off this “French Matrix Meets Rock Star” look. My nod to French style, although I’ve very rarely, if ever seen any French woman wearing one.

I knew when I spotted this coat that I’d have to pair it with a bright red scarf.

Me in all black, white and grey?

Not-so-much.

Give me colour or let me die!

Or something like that.

Without the heels this coat goes almost all the way to the floor. Truly a L-O-N-G coat and wonderfully unique. Since I’m showing a few long coats here I figured I’d squeeze in what I look for when I buy a long winter coat:

What should you look for when buying a long winter coat?

Make sure it fits you correctly.

The shoulder seams should sit on the shoulders, not below.

It shouldn’t touch the ground, otherwise it’ll just be dirty all the time. If you are short and want to avoid visually shortening your body, aim for a style that ends just above the knees (warmer climates) or just below the knees (colder climates so that your boots go up to where your coat ends).

The sleeves should hit about an inch below your wrists when your arms are at your sides.

If you are going for a fitted style make sure you have enough room to wear a sweater or layers underneath.

If you have a wider style I personally like a belted version that shows the waist so it doesn’t add extra bulk to my frame.

Make sure it is warm enough.

Depending on what type of weather you have during the winter months will indicate if you just need a long light wool coat, or if you are like me and you must suffer through a Canadian winter every year then make sure it is lined, ideally with fake fur or down as those are the warmest. Thick wool is also very warm for winter but can weigh a ton.

Pockets are essential!

Both for your hands, gloves and whatever else you want to hide in them.

Buy a colour that suits you and the rest of your wardrobe.

If your wardrobe is 50% black chances are you should buy a grey, black (or if you’re reallycrazy adventurous, white coat).

If most of your closet is filled with bright colours you can probably mix a bright coat into them easily. That said, bright coats can also brighten up a neutral wardrobe. If you have cold colours, then stick with cold for your coat.

A warm neutral shade like camel or brown is also good if you have more earth tones in your wardrobe.

A hood is optional.

I find that since I like to wear hats I don’t always need a hood on my winter coat. Truly a hood is for severe cold weather and snow. So if you don’t have either of those…(can I come and stay with you this winter?) you don’t need a hood unless you want to look gangsta.

I’ve found a few more tips on how to choose the perfect winter coat here and here and a great article by Sylvia from 40+ Style that includes choosing the right coat shape for your body.

Okay…back to my shopping trip…

I could have easily come home with this coat from the same store as well…

It checked off every requirement on my “how to buy a long winter coat list”.

But it was so close to this one that I felt I shouldn’t. Talk about restraint!

In fact that day I could have gone home with 4 new-to-me winter coats but I didn’t have enough room in my suitcase.

I desperately tried to get my Mom to buy this incredible blazer that didn’t fit me…

No go though.

I was very disappointed.

Hardest person in the world to shop for as far as clothes are concerned?

Probably my Mom.

Or my Dad.

I did score quite the haul at that one Talize thrift store in BC. Last time I was at the Talize in Hamilton I bought (shamefully hiding my face) 6 pairs of shoes/boots (or was it seven? I stopped counting). I’m going to a new Talize tomorrow in Brampton…look out!

My thrifting luck has been sky high lately. I reckon I might even find a slightly used George Clooney hiding there somewhere. Wish me luck!

Have you found the perfect long winter coat for yourself?

P.S. Greetje don’t answer…we all know you are the reigning Queen of all long winter coats with a huge gorgeous collection in every colour, style and shape under the rainbow.

-25?!?! Oh my goodness! I hope you are keeping warm! I love that coat. I cannot believe it was $15. You find the best stuff. I have a long tweed coat that I bought last year and packed away. I completely forgot about it until seeing you in your coat! Maybe I should unpack it so I can wear it this season. Duh! Thanks for the reminder!

Fun post! That is one gorgeous coat, and how great that you thrifted almost the whole look. The booties are killer! You are too adorable to be badass. But you do have a resemblance with a sexy spy! Maybe ’cause you are! 😉
I looove “your Mum’s” jacket madly! Fantastic, and really suits her! Moms are tricky – they know what they want. What is it with them I wonder??? Hugs! xxx

Wow, the long coat suits you well and I love the one with the fur trim! Writing this, I feel I got my mojo back and I decided NOT to close down the blog, as I would miss you all too much! Blogging is a too big thing for me and emphasizes too many aspects of my life that are fab! So come back to my blog, a new outfit post is up, too!

Totally diggin’ the faux leather pants. There is a pair making it’s way to my house as we speak. And that coat? Love! It makes you look like you’re at least 6 feet tall. 🙂
Debbiehttp://www.fashionfairydust.blogspot.com

Oh, dear! That vintage long coat (that cost $15!!! No way!) just took my breath away! I love the long coat (true, thanks to Matrix) but fear that it will drown my ‘super tall’ 5′ 3″ frame.. I don’t want to settle for the calf length which in my opinion would chopped off my height even more.. dilemma….

I think my crucial two inches less than you means long coats just look like I’ve raided the dressing up box, but it looks fab on you! I love this kind of delicate small pattern on, which is also something I keep an eye out for when I buy coats – being very small, a huge pattern swallows me whole!

What a fantastic coat, and as always the way you have styled it it perfect. But you’ll need some thermal undies on in those temperatures! You were very restrained to buy just the one coat, but HOW many pairs of shoes/boots? Naughty Suzanne! xxx

With those temperatures you NEED several coats, and you have quite a few really beautiful coats, I am so envious. I always want to burn my thick, long down coat by March, having worn it every day for a couple of months (although it doesn’t get nearly as cold in southern Finland: it is balmy -13°C now, with + degrees forecast for tomorrow). But now I want a coat wardrobe like yours! We deserve it, we’re held hostage by snow and ice and sleet and everything in between for months, after all…

First off…LOVE the look! You look bad-ass fab! Now as to coats, I’m glad to see you probably have as many if not more than me (I feel less guilty that way). Winter hangs on here in my little corner of France/Switzerland so I wear them often. Oh…and berets…see them all the time around me, I guess it just depends where you’re at in France and what time of year.

Whahahaha…. I really laughed very loud when I saw your PS. Wasn’t expecting that at all. Yes I have many coats. Like you. It was Sylvia of 40+Style who gave me the last mental nudge to buy more coats and preferably as colourful as possible. I do have 1 long coat (to my ankles). It is brown and expensive. I bought it in France while visiting a friend in Switserland (near the French border). The idea was that the coat would be less expensive because my friend could claim VAT back at the French customs, leaving France. And of course we had no intention of declaring it to the Swiss customs while entering Switserland (we are criminals I know) But. … tough luck… There was a sign up at the French customs booth saying: “We are out. If you want to claim VAT back, you can do so at the Swiss customs booth a bit futher down the road”…. You cannot complain about that haha.
Still, it is a very good slim coat and it will last me forever without ever going out of fashion.

Your coats are really nice too. I love the warm one (middle left) and the purple leather one (bottom left) but adore the one bottom right, the one your restrained yourself for. (The one you left in the shop, is really a crossing between the warm one (middle left) and the long one (bottom right).
As for your new coat… it is beautiful. Special and so nice with your new boots. Don’t you love patent leather? Your faux leather trousers look splendid on you.
The jacket your mother didn’t want to buy…. is my size, isn’t it? I am a size 12-14 in USA (40-42 in Europe) Hahaha. Wouldn’t that look fantastic on my new long black skirt? (See post.)
By the way.. Ron is very much encouraging me to come to Vancouver in July. Just have to ask my boss permission.
Greetje

Ok, This is a true winner
I see it more as Matrix meets Runway,
it is gorgeous, love the boots too.
The faux fur is your last photo
was delicious,
You are a gifted shopper!
I have also gotten some good coats at thrift stores.
The best place to buy! Hope your MYC trip was wonderful.
Why didnt you get that blazer for yourself- Gorgeous!
xx, Ellehttp://mydailycostume.com/

Love the faux leather pants and you look fantastic Suzanne!
I think your mom should take your advice, after all, her daughter has a fashion blog and is a style expert!!
I’m heading out west to Seattle tomorrow to escape this deep freeze!

Gah! That coat! Swoon-worthy (though incredibly long! I wonder how tall the original owner was…?) And so much else just so right about the outfit too- most notably your curls. A great hair day, indeed.

This made me laugh aloud: “I’m like the Mary Poppins of Morpheus.”

Best. Thing. Ever.

Amen to all your coat requirements. My wool coat doesn’t have pockets and it is the one thing I really regret. My heavy winter coat though is a straight up ski coat. Not very fashion friendly, but warm. Since I’m outside every day, no matter how cold, I need it, but might take some ideas from you and be on the look out for a warmer, but cuter heavy-duty coat.

Hey there!!! WOw, I adore this look. The coat is amazing and teamed with a beret is sheer beauty!
I had a long brown coat as a teenager which I bought in the sale at Bay Trading. I was the only person of my age with a maxi coat and for some stupid reason linking to having cats who deposited cat hair on it, I didn’t keep it long term, but I wish I did.
I was given a WONDERFUl vintage winter coat by my dear friend Ellie last May. She bought it in the 60’s from Jaeger with her first paycheck- it cost her entire month’s pay and she wore it loads. Now it doesn’t fit her and when I went to stay with her, she gave it to me. That means a lot to me that she gave something so precious. I think she often gives me her old clothing because she knows it will be appreciated.
xx

Hail to thee, O Bright Beauty of the Frozen North! Greeting from MidNowhere, where the weather can’t make up it’s mind what season it is.
You look lovely, and your advice is spot on, although as an elderlyshort person, I’m about to give up trying to flatter my square footage. Great coat design and on you … clever vintage shopping, as always.
I will forever regret getting rid of my Dr. Zhivago/Lara inspired floor-length faux black mouton, double-breasted dress coat from the late 60s. I wore it with an equally faux gray fur, Russian-looking monster pill-box shaped hat … never felt so glam, but had to work hard to find places to wear them!
I wish you warmer weather soon!